Ricky Jay Plays Poker - Various Artists
“Ricky Jay Plays Poker” is a stacked deck, a royal flush, a full house — heck, you pick the poker analogy and as long as it’s not about a losing hand, it will describe this utterly enjoyable box set.
Card-trick purveyor/magician Ricky Jay knows how to put together a crowd-pleasing show — and a well-round box set. “Ricky Jay Plays Poker” is first and foremost an eclectic collection of songs about poker from the likes of Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Patsy Cline and “Bonanza” actor Lorne Greene.
The genres presented run the gamut from musicals to country to blues and, thanks to Greens, celebrity schlock.
But the set is much more than just the music.
Jay writes the liner notes, which tell a wonderful story not just of the songs themselves but the history of poker. And there’s an accompanying DVD, starring Jay, in which he entertains a table of friends with more poker stories and card tricks.
All that music and stories about poker could reasonably put a person in the mood to play a hand or two. Don’t worry, Jay’s got another surprise up his sleeve. The package also comes with a deck of cards — presumably unmarked. AP
